Religious education classes giving Australian public school children nightmares

Macquarie University researcher Dr Catherine Byrne is shocked by what she's hearing in her research on religious instruction at public schools, Tory Shepherd reports in an article published at The Australian.

Among her findings: Children are suffering anxiety and nightmares from grisly crucifixion depictions, kids are told they're going to burn in hell, children are taught that it is sinful to worship "false gods" other than the Christian god, "the Jews had it coming," and parents are hesitant to complain, fearful that their complaints might negatively affect their children's education. While parents can opt their children out of the religious education classes, their children are often left unattended if they do so.

According to the article, Byrne "met with government officials but they were 'too frightened' about losing the Christian lobby vote to intervene."

“This is a national problem and a national disgrace,” Dr. Bryne is reported as saying.

About D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

This archaic idea that that Indian, Chinese kids, and non-religious kids can be corralled into "Sunday School" at a public state school is outrageous. The misleadingly titled 'opt-out' system make it even worse because with opt-out the parents often don't even hear about it happening till it's too late.
Un-consented preaching in state schools is the next child-abuse scandal – make sure you're on the right side of this debate when the shit hits the fan. School Pricipals are going to get sacked.